How to Finance a Camp Bow Wow Franchise: Costs, Fees and SBA
By Chris Cornella
A Camp Bow Wow franchise loan pays for something most franchise financing does not: a large, purpose-built home for dogs. A camp combines daycare play yards, overnight boarding cabins, grooming space and a webcam system inside a converted commercial building, so the budget leans heavily on construction rather than inventory.
This article covers what the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) says it costs to open a camp, how the royalty schedule and liquidity requirement shape a loan request, what the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory note means and how buyers of new and existing camps put their financing together.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Camp Bow Wow; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Camp Bow Wow Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Franchisor: Camp Bow Wow Franchising, Inc., headquartered in Westminster, Colorado.
- Initial franchise fee: $50,000 under the FDD issued May 1, 2026; $25,000 for qualifying veterans and first responders.
- Royalty: 3.5% of net revenue in year one for a franchisee in good standing, then the greater of 7% or a minimum monthly royalty.
- Advertising fund: 1% of net revenue, up to a maximum of 3%.
- Estimated initial investment: $954,606 to $1,229,536 for a camp in a leased, pre-existing building.
- Owner qualifications: at least $1.2 million net worth and $500,000 in liquid capital, according to the franchisor.
- System size: more than 220 open camps in the United States and one in Canada, as the franchisor reports.
- Franchisor financing: none for the initial investment, according to the FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed (code S0338), with a note on liens explained below.
What Is Camp Bow Wow?
Camp Bow Wow is a dog daycare and boarding franchise. The system traces back to a predecessor company that began operating in 2003, and the current franchisor, Camp Bow Wow Franchising, Inc., has offered franchises since August 2014.
Each camp’s core services are daycare, overnight boarding, basic grooming and enrichment. Depending on the location, a camp may also offer full-service grooming and dog training. The franchisor reports that over half of its camps are owned by multi-unit operators.
How a camp is built. The FDD’s estimate assumes the owner leases an existing building and improves it. The build-out turns a commercial shell into play areas, sleeping cabins, interior fencing, washable surfaces, drainage and ventilation, plus a lobby. The franchisor says a reduced-investment prototype introduced in 2026 lowers the cost to open by more than $400,000.
How lenders see the brand. Lenders see an established system, a detailed Item 7 budget and an Item 19 disclosure to review. They also see a capital-intensive opening where most dollars go into leasehold improvements with limited resale value, which puts weight on liquidity, the lease and realistic ramp-up assumptions.
Camp Bow Wow Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The 2026 FDD sets the fee at $50,000. Qualifying U.S. military veterans and first responders pay $25,000, a 50% discount, and the discounts cannot be combined. An existing owner adding a unit pays $35,000. Buyers using rollover retirement funds pay a $20,000 deposit, with the balance due within 30 days of the agreement’s effective date.
Build-out. Improvements to a leased, pre-existing building are the largest line, at $516,735 to $663,917, and plans and permits add $31,000 to $65,000. The FDD notes that costs vary with the size and condition of the facility and the lease terms.
Equipment, cabins and technology. Equipment, supplies and opening inventory are listed at $136,799, dog cabins and interior fencing at $76,750, the webcam system at $23,639 to $29,000 and signage at $4,846 to $8,000.
Opening costs and working capital. The FDD budgets $80,000 in additional funds for the first 3 months and $15,000 for camp launch advertising, plus personnel and training travel costs.
Total investment. The FDD estimates a total of $954,606 to $1,229,536:
- Initial franchise fee: $50,000
- Travel costs for all initial training: $1,000 to $2,965
- Improvements for pre-existing buildings (leased): $516,735 to $663,917
- Equipment, supplies and opening inventory: $136,799
- Dog cabins and interior fencing: $76,750
- Signage: $4,846 to $8,000
- Webcam system: $23,639 to $29,000
- Personnel costs: $5,592 to $34,281
- Deposits: $7,335 to $11,460
- Plans and permits: $31,000 to $65,000
- Professional services: $910 to $11,864
- Camp launch advertising: $15,000
- Financing fees: $0 to $39,500
- Additional funds for the first 3 months: $80,000
- Project management fee: $5,000
The financing fees line is telling: the franchisor builds borrowing costs into its own estimate, which signals that many owners use a Camp Bow Wow franchise loan for the build-out.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty. The royalty is 3.5% of net revenue in year one for an owner in good standing, then the greater of 7% of net revenue or the minimum monthly royalty. A lender will want to see the camp carry its debt after the royalty doubles, not only in year one.
Advertising fund. Owners contribute 1% of net revenue, and the FDD allows up to 3%. Conservative projections can model the higher rate.
Technology and marketing platform fees. A technology fee of $250 per month and a marketing platform fee of $300 per month apply per location, and the FDD notes required third-party software can run up to about $1,000 per month.
Transfer and renewal. The transfer fee is the greater of 50% of the then-current franchise fee or 2% of the sale price, capped at 100% of that fee. Renewal costs 50% of the then-current fee and requires six months’ notice, equipment upgrades and signing the then-current agreement.
How lenders factor these in. Lenders subtract royalty, advertising, fixed monthly fees, rent, payroll and utilities from projected revenue, then test whether the remainder covers debt service with a cushion. With a large payroll and a sizable building, fixed costs are high, so the pace of daycare enrollment and boarding occupancy gets close attention.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s inquiry form asks for a minimum net worth of $1.2 million and at least $500,000 in liquid capital, and it says no previous business experience is required.
Those thresholds track how a lender sizes the deal. A buyer needs liquid funds for the equity injection, pre-opening costs and a reserve that remains after closing, and lenders verify liquidity with bank and brokerage statements.
The approval process. Candidates submit an inquiry, review the FDD, speak with the development team and, once approved, sign the franchise agreement and begin site selection. The franchisor says the fee covers territory, site selection, construction and equipment support, marketing support and training. Item 5 also lists a $5,000 project management fee and $500 for each extra day of site visits.
Ways to Own a Camp Bow Wow
Opening a new camp. Most owners secure a territory, lease a building, complete the build-out and launch. Lenders underwrite a start-up on projections, liquidity, the lease and contractor bids. Our overview of pet care facility start-up financing covers how these loans are structured.
Buying an existing camp. With more than 220 camps open, resales come up. A buyer acquires a customer base, staff and financial history, subject to franchisor approval and the transfer fee, and the lender can underwrite actual results. See our pet care facility acquisition options.
Multi-unit development. The FDD offers a multi-unit development fee of $125,000 for three units, with no separate initial franchise fee for those units.
Financing Options for a Camp Bow Wow Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan is often the first option buyers explore. One loan can cover leasehold improvements, equipment, the franchise fee and working capital, or the purchase of an existing camp.
SBA 504 loans. When a buyer purchases the building instead of leasing, an SBA 504 loan is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets.
Conventional term loans. Buyers with strong liquidity, or existing owners adding camps, may use a conventional business loan sized to cash flow and secured by business assets and personal guarantees.
Equipment financing. Cabins, interior fencing, grooming tables and tubs, dryers, laundry machines for bedding, sanitation equipment and the webcam system can be financed with terms matched to their useful life. Learn more about pet care facility equipment financing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Boarding often peaks around holidays and travel seasons, while daycare takes time to build. A line of credit can fund payroll during the ramp-up and cover repairs to fencing, drainage or ventilation. Explore pet care working capital and lines of credit.
Retirement funds. The FDD specifically addresses buyers using rollover funds. Our article on using a 401(k) to buy a franchise explains how these structures can work alongside an SBA loan.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may agree to carry part of the price on an existing camp. A seller note would need to be acceptable to the senior lender, is typically subordinate to it, and SBA rules may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for Camp Bow Wow Franchisees
SBA lending for franchises runs through the SBA Franchise Directory, a list of brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for eligibility. SBA lenders generally require a listing before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to a franchisee. A listing does not approve any borrower; it clears the franchise relationship for SBA review.
The listing and its note. Camp Bow Wow appears under code S0338 with this note: “The Subordination Agreement related to UCC assets is acceptable. The Franchisor may NOT file a lien against the SBA Real Estate Collateral.”
What it means. Some franchise agreements give the franchisor a security interest in a franchisee’s business assets, such as equipment and accounts. The SBA has accepted a subordination agreement that places the franchisor’s interest in those assets behind the SBA lender. The second sentence draws a firm line: the franchisor cannot file a lien on real estate that secures the SBA loan. Expect the lender to ask for the signed subordination agreement before closing.
Application tips. Bring the FDD, franchise agreement, lease or letter of intent, contractor bids that follow the franchisor’s design and month-by-month projections. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only and are not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Camp Bow Wow Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit reports, tax returns and a personal financial statement, and owners typically sign personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. The franchisor’s thresholds set a floor; lenders also look at what remains after the equity injection, because a camp may take months to reach steady occupancy.
Industry and management experience. Experience is not required by the franchisor, but lenders give credit for management, customer service or animal care backgrounds, and a plan to hire an experienced camp manager helps.
Business plan and projections. Projections should build daycare enrollment and boarding occupancy month by month, reflect the royalty step-up, include the fixed monthly fees and show staffing that matches the number of dogs in care.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19 and any franchisor security interest. The FDD includes Item 19 financial performance representations; use them only as a reference point for your own projections.
The site and lease. Because the build-out is the largest cost, lenders want a lease term that covers the loan, landlord consent for kennel use and clarity on noise, drainage and zoning. Tenant improvement allowances reduce the amount borrowed.
Historical financials for resales. Expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, revenue by service line and the seller’s tax returns.
The Facility and Webcam System
A camp is closer to a specialized commercial facility than a typical retail franchise. Floors must handle constant cleaning, drainage and ventilation must control odor and moisture, and play yards need secure fencing. Those systems sit inside the leasehold improvements, which is why that line dominates Item 7.
The webcam system lets customers check on their dogs and is part of the brand experience. Because the FDD makes equipment upgrades a condition of renewal, owners should plan for reinvestment in cabins, fencing and technology over the term.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
The $125,000 development fee for three units replaces the individual franchise fees, but it commits the developer to a schedule and to capital for several build-outs.
Once the first camp has operating history, lenders can underwrite its cash flow alongside projections for the next. Each camp usually gets its own loan, timed to its lease and construction. Our article on financing an area development agreement explains how to fund a schedule without overextending.
Real-World Scenarios
A veteran opening a first camp. A former military officer qualifies for the reduced fee and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the build-out, equipment and working capital, keeping a reserve beyond the franchisor’s minimum. Our guide to franchise financing for veterans covers incentives like this.
A buyer purchasing an established camp. A buyer acquires an operating camp from a retiring owner. The lender underwrites actual results, the franchisor approves the transfer and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Partners using retirement savings. Two partners fund part of their equity with rollover retirement funds and cover the rest of the project with a Camp Bow Wow franchise loan through the SBA 7(a) program.
An owner buying the building. An existing owner opening a second camp buys a building with an SBA 504 loan and finances improvements and equipment separately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Budgeting only for the first-year royalty and not the step-up
- Signing a lease before confirming the building suits kennel use, drainage and zoning
- Underestimating build-out costs on an older or larger building
- Leaving too little working capital for the months it takes to build enrollment
- Overlooking the subordination agreement until closing week
- Ignoring the equipment upgrades required at renewal
For more pitfalls across the industry, read the pet care business loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Camp Bow Wow Franchise
Step 1: Confirm your qualifications. Verify the net worth and liquidity thresholds and whether you qualify for a fee discount.
Step 2: Review the FDD with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19 and the franchise agreement with an attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist. Learn how a Camp Bow Wow franchise loan would be sized before you commit to a building.
Step 4: Find a site and get bids. Work with the franchisor on site selection and get contractor bids that follow the brand’s design.
Step 5: Build projections. Model daycare, boarding and grooming revenue month by month with all fees.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit your request with financial statements, tax returns, the lease, bids, projections and franchise documents.
Camp Bow Wow Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Camp Bow Wow?
The 2026 FDD estimates $954,606 to $1,229,536 for a camp in a leased, pre-existing building.
What is the Camp Bow Wow franchise fee?
The fee is $50,000; qualifying veterans and first responders pay $25,000, and existing owners adding a camp pay $35,000.
What royalty does Camp Bow Wow charge?
3.5% of net revenue in year one for an owner in good standing, then the greater of 7% or the minimum monthly royalty, plus an advertising contribution of 1% that can rise to 3%.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchisor asks for at least $500,000 in liquid capital and $1.2 million in net worth.
Is Camp Bow Wow eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S0338, so franchisees may apply for SBA 7(a) and 504 financing, subject to lender approval.
Does Camp Bow Wow offer financing?
No. The FDD states that neither the franchisor nor its affiliates finance any part of the initial investment; see Item 10.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Yes. Cabins, fencing, grooming equipment and the webcam system can be financed with equipment loans or leases.
Can I buy an existing Camp Bow Wow?
Yes, subject to franchisor approval and the transfer fee, and lenders underwrite the camp’s actual history.
Can a first-time owner get a Camp Bow Wow franchise loan?
Yes. The franchisor does not require prior business experience, and lenders weigh liquidity, credit, management background and the business plan.
What documents will a lender need?
Tax returns, a personal financial statement, bank statements, a résumé, the FDD and franchise agreement, the lease, contractor bids and projections.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Yes, the 2026 FDD includes Item 19. Review it directly and build your own projections.
Final Thoughts
A camp is a build-out-heavy business with a steady service model behind it. Buyers who meet the liquidity threshold, budget for the royalty step-up, choose a building suited to kennel use and line up financing early give themselves the best chance to open on schedule.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital for established brands. Learn more about our franchise financing and pet care facility financing solutions.
